Page:Emma Speed Sampson--The shorn lamb.djvu/77

Rh demanded a reference instead of giving one. By Gad! He was to prove himself her grandfather instead of having her prove herself his granddaughter! He laughed aloud in his glee. He laughed and held out his hands to her.

Not seeing the change in the old man's face or his outstretched hands, Rebecca had turned and started down the steps. She held her head high and on her face was a look of determination not to show her feelings to those persons on the porch. She gave Philip Bolling a little wan smile and stooped to pick up the parcels that had slipped from her arms when she first saw Spottswood. As she stooped, a great wave of physical weakness came over her and she crumpled up in a little, bedraggled black heap.

"Now I am dying!" was the thought that came to her as she fainted, "but Mrs. O'Shea won't be here to attend to this funeral."